CureVac files expanded patent lawsuit against Pfizer/BioNTech over mRNA technology (updated)

CureVac NV

19/05/2023 13:19

(Updates paragraph 1 with details, adds background, other
details in paragraphs 2,3,4, 6,7, 8)
       May 19 (Reuters) - CureVac NV  CVAC.O  said on Friday it
had filed an expanded patent infringement claim against Pfizer
Inc  PFE.N  and BioNTech  BNTX.O  over the use of mRNA
technology and that a U.S. court had granted its request to
transfer the trial.
    The company said it filed a counterclaim alleging that
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech infringed on nine of its
patents, broader than its original claim of three patents.
    In July 2022, CureVac had filed a patent lawsuit against
BioNTech over the use of mRNA technology in the companies'
COVID-19 vaccine. 
    The transfer of the trial to the Eastern District of
Virginia from the Federal District Court of Massachusetts is
expected to accelerate progress of the case and allow for a
likely 2024 trial date, CureVac said on Friday. 
    Pfizer and BioNTech did not immediately respond to requests
for comment. 
    Pfizer and BioNTech in response had filed a complaint with
the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, seeking a judgment
that they did not infringe U.S. patents held by CureVac.
    The companies have previously told the court that their
COVID vaccine Comirnaty does not work in the same way as
CureVac's patented technology.
    Pfizer and BioNTech are also facing patent infringement
lawsuits from other companies. 
    

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FACTBOX-Moderna sues Pfizer as patent owners fight over mRNA
vaccine technology    https://www.reuters.com/legal/moderna-sues-pfizer-patent-owners-fight-over-mrna-vaccine-technology-2022-08-26/
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 (Reporting by Raghav Mahobe and Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru;
Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
 ((Raghav.Mahobe@thomsonreuters.com;))